Pierce County Lake Quality
North Dakota, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Pierce County has 3 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county-wide average grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 1 lakes fall into the F bracket outright.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Balta Dam Lake (C); the most-stressed is Buffalo Lake (F).
Quick Answers for Pierce County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Balta Dam Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or check the official North Dakota fishing regulations.
Fishing in Pierce County
All Lakes in Pierce County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balta Dam Lake | C | 5.2 ft | 14.3 ft | - |
| 2 | Antelope Lake | D | 3.5 ft | 24.3 ft | - |
| 3 | Buffalo Lake | F | 0.3 ft | 15.9 ft | - |
Other Counties in North Dakota
See how Pierce County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Pierce County
Top-rated places to stay near Pierce County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.